Collection Photos

[Rob L]

Hey all,

If anyone is curious, I have put part of my collection on a Photobucket site. The link is:

http://photobucket.com/albums/f258/loefflerrd/

Enjoy!

Rob L

[porsche544]

Hi Rob,
Awesome collection. Very inspiring.

Gerald

[vintagesportscollector]

Thanks for sharing Rob. I have the picture of your office, but it's great to finally see some of your collection up close. Great stuff!!

-Joe

[mjkm90]

Great stuff Rob. You have an impressive collection. Can you post some larger pics of displays for us? I also have a question. I've never understood why we all refer to them as 1880s figure eight balls. I do it, you do it, everyone does it. I'm looking at my 1986 figure eight American League All Stars autographed ball right now...ha ha. Why don't we just call them 1880s baseballs?

[suave1477]

I just tried the link and its not working!!!!

[slidekellyslide]

Great stuff...thanks for sharing. How do you display your items Rob?

[Rob L]

Great stuff Rob. You have an impressive collection. Can you post some larger pics of displays for us? I also have a question. I've never understood why we all refer to them as 1880s figure eight balls. I do it, you do it, everyone does it. I'm looking at my 1986 figure eight American League All Stars autographed ball right now...ha ha. Why don't we just call them 1880s baseballs?

That's a good question. It appears that the Figure 8 ball didn't exist until the 1858 and really didn't become prevalent until the late 1860s - early 1870s. By the 1890s, the majority of the balls were white. I usually date the balls in the c1880s range based on color, size and a fairly uniform stitching. Also the use of "c" or circa usually means + or - 5 years. Therefore, saying circa 1880s give a ball the range of 1875 to 1894. The one figure 8 ball that I think is an 1870s Figure 8 is a very primitive ball, size wise, weight wise and stitching, suggesting the earlier date.

Rob L

[icollectDCsports]

Rob: Collecting lemon peel baseballs and the like has never appealed (no pun intended) to me, but I really enjoyed your photos. Just evidences your dedication to collecting and the obvious joy it brings you. Also, I really dig that Maris photo. Wish that guy was still with us.

[Rob L]

Hello All,

Thanks for the kind words. My collection of 19th century baseballs is a passion as I have been researching the development of them for a couple of years now. I remember someone commenting on the old Net 54 Vintage Baseball Collecting forums asking if my wife new that I was interested in old lumpy balls

Dan - I do display everything on a couple of walls and shelves in my office at work. It's funny, I don't remember where I posted the pictures before, but Joe may actually have them (or remember where they are).

Mike - If there is anything that you would like to see blown up, let me know and I will take closer photos or better scans.

Thanks again,

Rob L

[sportsbaron]

Here is a link to my jersey collection . . .